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Crompton listed as starter, but Esks could turn to Reilly for game against Als

Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Jonathan Crompton is tackled by Montreal Alouettes cornerback Geoff Tisdale during second quarter CFL football action Thursday, July 25, 2013 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul ChiassonPhoto: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

EDMONTON — Rookie Jonathan Crompton is pencilled in as Edmonton’s starting quarterback for their critical game Saturday against the Montreal Alouettes, but his first professional start may not happen just yet.

Mike Reilly, who has started every game for the Eskimos this season, may still get the starting assignment if he is cleared to play by the medical staff. He suffered a concussion last Saturday and on Friday the Eskimos were still awaiting final medical clearance.

“We don’t yet have the information regarding Mike’s medical clearance,” head coach Kavis Reed said early Friday afternoon. “Once we get that information we can then make a decision. But right now, as we speak, we’ve prepped Jonathan Crompton to be ready.

“Obviously if he’s not cleared the decision is made. If he is cleared, now the decision is do we feel Mike gives us everything we need to go out there and play safely. We’ve spent a lot of time talking to experts in this field. This week has been all about getting information to put ourselves in position to make an intelligent decision regarding Mike’s safety.”

With the decision relying heavily on Reilly’s medical clearance, Crompton said he can only wait until the coaching staff makes a final decision.

“All of us are very well prepared. Our biggest focus is getting a win,” he said. “Everyone prepares as if they’re starting because anything can happen in football. None of us have been thinking about it, we’ve all been preparing like we do every week.”

Reed said Crompton was listed as the starter because putting Reilly in that spot would be presumptuous.

“To be accurate and fair Jonathan will be the starter if Mike is not cleared to play, or if we decide not to play Mike,” he said.

Crompton has played in four games this season, completing 11 of 22 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He played briefly in Edmonton’s 32-27 loss in Montreal in July, completing just one of four passes for one yard and throwing an interception.

Whether it’s Reilly, Crompton or veteran Kerry Joseph, it shouldn’t make a lot of difference to the receivers.

“It does a little bit just because you have the timing, the chemistry down with (Reilly),” said wide receiver Marcus Henry. “All our quarterbacks are capable and we’re not going to miss a beat no matter who’s there.”

If Crompton does start he would be the 18th different starting quarterback in the CFL this season. Hamilton’s Henry Burris is the only quarterback to start every game this season for his team.

Reilly suffered a concussion a week ago in Edmonton’s loss to Toronto when he took a violent helmet-to-helmet hit from Argonaut defensive lineman Cleyon Laing. Laing is the third player to be fined this season hits to Reilly’s head.

Reilly missed practice Tuesday but took first-team reps Wednesday and Thursday and said he was feeling no post-concussion symptoms. Crompton took most of the reps Friday and Reilly was not available to the media after the walk-through.

Reed, who said he suffered one concussion himself while playing and did not miss a game, said the Eskimos are aware of the criticism being levelled at them for even considering playing Reilly on Saturday.

“This organization is going to focus on the player’s safety,” he said. “Everything this organization has done has been about player safety. Not just Mike Reilly. In every situation that we’ve had a concussion the same procedure has been used.”

The game has major playoff implications for both teams. The 3-10 Eskimos, with little hope of finishing third in the west, could pull within one win of the 5-8 Alouettes for the cross-over playoff spot. Edmonton made the playoffs last year by grabbing the cross-over berth.